Nam Don Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) None Province(s) Son La Area 18,000 ha Coordinates 21°40'N, 103°07'E Agro-ecological zone North-western Decreed by government Yes Management board established No |
Investment plan prepared No VCF eligibility criteria met B Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Nam Don was included on Decision No. 194/CT of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, dated 9 August 1986, as an 18,000 ha nature reserve (MARD 1997). The main objective of the nature reserve was the protection of a population of Gaur Bos gaurus that previously occurred in the area. However, during the period from 1986 to 1990, the species was eradicated from the area (Vu Van Dung verbally 2000). Consequently, Nam Don is not included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year 2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD (FPD 2003).
An investment plan has never been prepared for Nam Don Nature Reserve. Furthermore, as the exact location and boundary of the nature reserve have never been defined, it is not clear whether it should have been situated in Muong La district (which contains Nam Don commune) or Quynh Nhai district (as given in Decision No. 194/CT).
Topography and hydrology
Nam Don Nature Reserve is situated on the south-western flank of a mountain range that runs parallel to the main chain of the Hoang Lien mountains, and forms the boundary between Son La and Lao Cai provinces. The nature reserve is situated in the catchment of the Black River.
Biodiversity values
The natural forest at Nam Don Nature Reserve was almost completely destroyed during the 1990s as a result of the activities of local people. The site currently has few or no biodiversity values (Le Trong Trai verbally 2000).
Conservation issues
No information.
Other documented values
No information.
Related projects
No information.
Conservation needs assessment
A conservation needs assessment has not been conducted for the site.
Operational management plan
An operational management plan has not been prepared for the site.
Eligibility against VCF criteria
The site is ineligible for VCF support because it does not meet the criteria for supporting forest biodiversity of international importance. In addition, the site is not under appropriate conservation management.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
Decision No. 194/CT, dated 09/08/86 |
| BII |
Nature Reserve |
| BIII |
Under provincial management |
| CI |
|
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
None.
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